The Last Signature

Part 2: The Truth Behind the Divorce

Gideon stared at his mother.

“Eight months ago,” he repeated slowly. “You signed an agreement declaring that my marriage would end after our fifth anniversary?”

Celeste lifted her chin.

“It was necessary.”

“Necessary for whom?”

“For this family.”

Gideon slammed the document onto the table.

“Don’t you dare use the family as an excuse. Explain why Cecily’s name is on it.”

Cecily stepped forward.

“Gideon, your mother was only trying to protect your future.”

“My future?”

She swallowed.

Celeste finally spoke.

“Maren was never suitable for your position. She was a good wife in the beginning, but she had no influence, no powerful connections, and no understanding of how our family operates.”

Gideon’s expression became frighteningly calm.

“So you arranged for me to divorce her.”

“We arranged for you to marry someone who could strengthen the family.”

“And Cecily?”

Celeste exchanged a glance with her.

“She comes from an influential family. Her father controls several shipping contracts we need.”

Gideon laughed bitterly.

“So my marriage was a business transaction, and my wife was the obstacle.”

“You were supposed to understand that eventually,” Celeste replied.

Gideon turned toward Cecily.

“Did you know about the agreement?”

Cecily lowered her eyes.

“Yes.”

“Did you know I was still married when you started appearing at family gatherings?”

“Yes, but—”

“Did you deliberately make Maren believe we were having an affair?”

Cecily’s silence answered him.

Gideon took out his phone.

“Adrian, I want every document connected to the Arden negotiations. Freeze every pending agreement until I review it personally.”

Celeste stepped toward him.

“You cannot destroy years of family business over one woman.”

Gideon looked at her.

“Her name is Maren. She’s my wife.”

“Not for much longer.”

His eyes darkened.

“And that’s where you’re wrong.”

He turned and walked out.

At 9:15 that evening, Gideon arrived at the apartment where Maren had temporarily moved.

He carried no flowers, no expensive jewelry, and no excuses.

Only a folder.

Maren opened the door wearing a simple ivory sweater. Her hair was loosely tied, and one hand rested protectively over her stomach.

Her expression immediately changed when she saw him.

“What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk.”

“I thought we had already finished talking.”

He held up the folder.

“I found out why my mother wanted our divorce.”

Maren hesitated before letting him inside.

Gideon placed the documents on the kitchen counter.

She read the first page.

Then the second.

By the third page, her face had lost its color.

“They planned this eight months ago?”

“Yes.”

“And Cecily knew?”

“Yes.”

Maren slowly lowered the papers.

“Did you know?”

“No.”

“Gideon, look at me.”

He did.

“Did you know your mother was arranging your future marriage while I was still living in your house?”

His jaw tightened.

“No. But I should have questioned what was happening. I should have protected you.”

Maren looked away.

“You know what hurt the most?”

He waited.

“It wasn’t seeing Cecily beside you. It wasn’t even the rumors.”

Her voice trembled.

“It was coming home every night and realizing that my husband no longer cared whether I was there.”

Gideon lowered his head.

“I know I failed you.”

“You don’t know. You weren’t there.”

He had no answer.

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After a moment, he placed another document on the counter.

“This is a statement from Adrian. He confirmed that the divorce agreement was being negotiated without my knowledge.”

Maren studied him.

“Why are you showing me this?”

“Because you deserve the truth. And because I won’t let anyone make you believe you were the reason this marriage fell apart.”

She gave a small, exhausted smile.

“It’s too late to fix five years of marriage with a folder of documents.”

“I know.”

“And I’m still getting divorced.”

Gideon looked at her stomach.

“Even with the baby?”

“Especially because of the baby. I want our child to grow up knowing that love isn’t something you beg someone to give you.”

His eyes glistened.

“I don’t want our child growing up without me.”

“Then be a father. You don’t have to be my husband to do that.”

Gideon nodded slowly.

“All right.”

Maren seemed surprised by his answer.

He continued.

“I won’t force you to come back. I won’t use the baby to keep you here. But please allow me to be present for the pregnancy.”

She considered him for a long moment.

“Appointments only. No showing up unexpectedly. No sending your security team to follow me. And no involving your mother.”

“I agree.”

“And Gideon?”

“Yes?”

“If you ever lie to me again, there won’t be another conversation.”

He nodded.

“I understand.”

For the first time that night, Maren believed he might actually mean it.

But neither of them noticed the black car parked across the street.

Inside, Cecily was watching the apartment windows.

Her phone rang.

Celeste’s voice came through.

“Did you see him?”

“Yes. He’s inside.”

“Then we have a serious problem.”

Cecily tightened her grip on the phone.

“What do we do?”

Celeste paused.

“There’s something Maren doesn’t know about the Vescari inheritance.”

“What?”

“The child she is carrying may have more power over this family than Gideon himself.”